Secure spill-proof configuration for child training cup

ABSTRACT

A configuration for a training cup suitable for young children that prevents spilling from the drinking spout by means of a securely connected spill-proof attachment to the lid assembly of the cup. The method of the secure connection of the spill-proof attachment prevents it from coming loose under all conditions that are suitable for the utilization of the cup by a child.

REFERENCES

U.S. Pat. No. 5,950,857—Leak resistant and squeeze resistant liquid box container

U.S. Pat. No. 5,938,053—Child's bottle and food container

U.S. Pat. No. 6,568,557—Spill proof training cup

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is in the field of child feeding devices. Its specific intention is to provide a secure spill-proof configuration for a child's training cup.

There have been numerous attempts to create a spill-proof training cup. Fusco's “Spill proof training cup” (U.S. Pat. No. 6,568,557), Verbovszky's “Child's bottle and food container” (U.S. Pat. No. 5,938,053), and Rosen's “Leak resistant and squeeze resistant liquid box container” (U.S. Pat. No. 5,950,857) are just a few examples of such attempts. While the technological principles of these devices are sound, their complexity has prevented mass implementation of their functions.

A new design was recently developed by the Gerber Products Company. The patent for this product is pending, so a direct reference cannot be made. This method involves a lid where the drinking spout assembly is compressible (the compression is normally achieved by the child's lip movement during drinking) and an attachment, which houses a pressure valve and is inserted directly into the drinking spout assembly. The construction of the pressure valve requires that it be made from a bendable and springy elastic material and have a cross-shaped cut. The valve is opened when the air is sucked out of the drinking spout by the child's mouth movement, thereby allowing the liquid in the cup to flow to the drinking spout. The valve remains closed otherwise.

While the simplicity of this approach makes the Gerber product very attractive, it possesses a fundamental flaw. It relies on the smooth surface friction between the drinking spout assembly and the pressure valve attachment to remain connected. In practice, this does not work for two reasons: one—the liquid flowing through the pressure valve attachment and the drinking spout assembly lubricates all surfaces, thereby lowering any existing friction; two—the child can shake the cup during or in between utilizations, thereby loosening the connection between the pressure valve attachment and the drinking spout assembly.

The present invention provides a solution for a secure connection between the pressure valve attachment and the drinking spout assembly. The connection surfaces of the pressure valve attachment and the drinking spout assembly are made non-smooth with threading, thereby increasing the level of friction between them. Furthermore, the connection surfaces comprise angular threading which provides a secure “bolt and nut” type connection. The connection is implemented by inserting the pressure valve attachment into the drinking spout assembly and rotating the pressure valve attachment, thereby continuing the insertion process along the threads until the circumferential stopper on the pressure valve attachment prevents further insertion. The handling grip is provided on the non-inserted portion of the pressure valve attachment and comprises a non-smooth surface consisting of a plurality of external vertical facets or external vertical threading or both.

Various other features and characteristics of the present invention will become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art after a reading of the following specification.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows the top and side section views of the Gerber Products Company configuration of the cup lid with the drinking spout assembly.

FIG. 2 shows the side section view of the Gerber Products Company configuration of the cup lid with the drinking spout assembly and the top section and side section views of the Gerber Product Company configuration of the pressure valve attachment.

FIG. 3 shows the side section views of the cup lid with the drinking spout assembly and the pressure valve attachment components of the present invention.

FIG. 4 shows a side and top section views of the pressure valve attachment component of the present invention where the handling grip possesses a plurality of external vertical facets.

FIG. 5 shows a side and top section views of the pressure valve attachment component of the present invention where the handling grip possesses external vertical threading.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 1, the Gerber Product Company configuration of the cup lid and the drinking spout assembly is shown. The cup lid is comprised of the lid body 1 and threading 6 for the purpose of attaching to the liquid-holding cup (not shown). The lid body 1 is rigidly connected to the drinking spout assembly 2 which includes the drinking spout 4, a plurality of drinking holes 3, and a pressure valve insertion receptacle tube 5.

Referring to FIG. 2, the Gerber Product Company configuration of the pressure valve attachment relative to the cup lid and the drinking spout assembly is shown. The pressure valve attachment is comprised of a body 1 which consists of an insertion tube 3, handle 4, and handle reinforcement 5. The insertion tube 3 houses and is rigidly attached to the pressure valve 2. The pressure valve 2 is constructed of a bendable and springy elastic material and has a cross-shaped cut.

Referring to FIG. 3, the cup lid with the drinking spout assembly and the pressure valve components of the present invention are shown. The frictionally connecting surfaces of the drinking spout assembly 2 and the pressure valve attachment 3, more specifically the internal surface of the insertion receptacle tube of the drinking spout assembly 2 and the external surface of the insertion tube of the pressure valve attachment 3, comprise surface threading to facilitate the gradual rotational insertion of pressure valve attachment 5 into the drinking spout assembly 1 until the circumferential stopper 4 will prevent further insertion, thereby providing a secure connection between the drinking spout assembly 1 and the pressure valve attachment 5. The threading is comprised of a plurality of angular or horizontal surface threads.

Referring to FIG. 4, one variation of the pressure valve attachment component of the present invention is shown. The pressure valve component is comprised of a tubular body with external surface threading 3, stopper 4, handling grip 5, and pressure valve 6. The handling grip 5 is comprised of a plurality of external vertical surface facets. The threading is comprised of a plurality of external angular or horizontal surface threads.

Referring to FIG. 5, another variation the pressure valve attachment component of the present invention is shown. The pressure valve component is comprised of a tubular body with external surface threading 3, stopper 4, handling grip 5, and pressure valve 6. The handling grip 5 is comprised of a plurality of external vertical surface threads. The threading is comprised of a plurality of external angular or horizontal surface threads.

While the present invention has been described with respect to a particular embodiment, modifications and variations may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of this invention. For example, the insertion receptacle tube of the drinking spout assembly could comprise external surface threading while the pressure valve attachment would comprise internal surface threading. The diameter of the insertion tube of the pressure valve attachment will be increased to accommodate the connection to the receptacle tube of the drinking spout assembly. The receptacle tube of the drinking spout assembly could then be inserted into the pressure valve attachment. 

1. A secure spill-proof configuration for child training cup comprising: a cup lid with a rigidly attached drinking spout assembly, a pressure valve attachment, where the frictionally connecting surfaces of the drinking spout assembly and the pressure valve attachment comprise surface threading.
 2. Frictionally connecting surfaces as stated in claim 1 comprising the internal surface of the insertion receptacle tube of the drinking spout assembly and the external surface of the insertion tube of the pressure valve attachment.
 3. Surface threading as stated in claim 1 comprising a plurality of angular threads.
 4. Surface threading as stated in claim 1 comprising a plurality of horizontal threads.
 5. A pressure valve attachment as stated in claim 1 comprising a circumferential stopper.
 6. A pressure valve attachment as stated in claim 1 comprising a handling grip.
 7. A handling grip as stated in claim 6 comprising a plurality of external vertical surface facets.
 8. A handling grip as stated in claim 6 comprising a plurality of external vertical surface threads. 